B4.13
Part II, 2004
Define a cyclic code of length .
Show how codewords can be identified with polynomials in such a way that cyclic codes correspond to ideals in the polynomial ring with a suitably chosen multiplication rule.
Prove that any cyclic code has a unique generator, i.e. a polynomial of minimum degree, such that the code consists of the multiples of this polynomial. Prove that the rank of the code equals , and show that divides .
Let be a cyclic code. Set
(the dual code). Prove that is cyclic and establish how the generators of and are related to each other.
Show that the repetition and parity codes are cyclic, and determine their generators.